[Breast arterial calcifications and coronary calcifications: a common link with atherosclerotic subclinical disease?].

Abstract

Coronary artery calcifications seem to be correlated with a high risk of coronary heart disease. Computed tomography has been shown to be capable of providing accurate, non-invasive measurements of coronary artery calcifications. Coronary calcium is a recognized marker of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerotic burden of coronary arteries correlates strongly with the amount of coronary artery calcifications measured by computed tomography. The presence and extent of breast arterial calcifications detected at mammography has been associated with diabetes and hypertension and it seems to be correlated with the extent of coronary atherosclerosis. This review analyzes the relationship between coronary artery calcifications, breast arterial calcifications and the increased risk of subsequent cardiovascular events.